Colorful Quinoa Tabouleh

Rosie, my middle one, won’t eat bananas and doesn’t much care for papayas, but set a plate of stinky cheese or a bowl of curried mussels in front of her and she’s quite content.

I’ve been surprised by the fact that all three of my kids love tabbouleh, that Middle-Eastern grain salad packed with bulgur wheat and fresh parsley. The cheerful Lebanese man who runs a market down the hill from my house makes a killer version that my kids gobble down without hesitation.

In this recipe, I’ve swapped out the bulgur for quinoa. It feels like an appropriate switch since both grains are similar in size and texture. I like the quinoa tabouleh because it’s an excellent protein source and ideal for those staying away from gluten.

One important consideration when cooking with quinoa, especially if you are feeding kids, is to rinse it before cooking. Quinoa is coated with saponins, which lend a bitter taste to the outside of the tiny seeds. Some quinoa comes pre-rinsed, but what I buy usually comes from the bulk bins with no label to indicate if the saponins have been removed or not. To eliminate them myself, I put the quinoa into a fine mesh colandar and run it under warm water for at least a minute, pushing the quinoa around in the strainer as I go. You can always set a bowl beneath the colander to catch that water and use it to hydrate your plants (or wash your hair. Have we just discovered a new-fangled protein rinse?).

This time of year when tomatoes and cucumbers are starting to appear, I like to dice those up and add them to the mix, and then finish the lot with good quality feta cheese.

It’s tasty as a side, or a vegetarian main. I bet you will like it..and you never do know, maybe your kids will too.

Colorful Quinoa Tabouleh

This is a twist on traditional tabouleh whereby quinoa takes the place of bulgur. The grains are similar in size, but quinoa makes this suitable for those avoiding gluten and is higher in protein. Cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta add flavor and texture to this tasty salad.

Instructions

Pour the quinoa into a fine mesh sieve or colander and rinse thoroughly under warm water.

Transfer the quinoa to a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover the quinoa by at least 1 ½ inches. Set the pot on the stove over high heat and bring to a boil. When the water boils, drop the heat until it simmers vigorously. Simmer until it is tender, about 15 minutes. Pour into a colander and leave to drain in the sink for a few minutes.

Transfer quinoa to a large bowl and add the cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, mint, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir well, taste, and add more salt if needed. Add the crumbled feta and stir gently just to combine.

Thank you for creating this website! I have been looking for a site like yours forever. A realistic person with the common of others, a family. I love the meaning behind your recipes. It’s just not placed in front of me in a “Follow these direction for these courses.” Beginning with a picture, followed by a story and ending with a simple recipe. Voila!, Delicious!
This salad hit the spot with my mexician dinner, tamales, beans and quinoa tabouleh. With this heavy meal it adds brightness and that right sense of acidity. So looking forward to lunch tomorrow!